The current mayor is Roberto Dipiazza, a member of the centre-right party Forza Italia, who took office on 20 June 2016.

[1] According to the Italian Constitution, the Mayor of Trieste is member of the City Council.

The Mayor is elected by the population of Trieste, who also elect the members of the City Council, controlling the Mayor's policy guidelines and is able to enforce his resignation by a motion of no confidence.

The Mayor is entitled to appoint and release the members of his government.

[2] Since 1993, under provisions of new local administration law, the Mayor of Trieste is chosen by direct election, originally every four, and since 2001 every five years.